Evolution of Phishing Messages

Cybersecurity Awareness – Watch out for Phishing Emails

Phishing emails are an attempt by thieves to lure you into divulging personal and financial information for their profit. They use clever techniques to create a sense of urgency so that you do not stop to think about whether they are legitimate. You should learn what to look for and where to report these scams when you receive them.

A new technique used by attackers is to use a fake email address that looks like a personal account for a senior campus leader, with a simple message such as “Are you available?” If responded to, the attacker, posing as someone from UCI, will often say they are in a meeting or traveling and need assistance, usually a transfer of funds or access to sensitive information.

If you suspect that you have received a phishing email, do not respond to it or click on the links. Report it to spam@uci.edu and then delete it. If you have questions, please write to security@uci.edu.